Navaratri: celebrating Shakti
The article explores the spiritual significance of Navaratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Parashakti in her various forms. It emphasizes the accessibility of the divine and the importance of wisdom and piety.
Why it matters
It provides cultural and religious context for a major Hindu festival, highlighting traditional values and theological interpretations.
Sivaratri is special to Siva and Navaratri is for Parashakti.
There are many norms for praying to one’s favourite deity, but praying to Shakti is very easy, because She has immense mercy to forgive the trippings and transgressions of one. She is accessible to all and as the grama devata, She is happy to receive the love and piety offered by simple folks, said Damodara Deekshithar.
She is celebrated by all, especially during Navaratri, in various forms. On the first day She is Shailaputri. On the second, Brahmacharini. She is worshipped as Chnadraghanta on day three and as Kushmanda on day four. She is Skandamata on day five, Katyayani on day six and Kalaratri on day seven. She is Maha Gauri on the eighth day, and as Siddhidatri on day nine. On those nine days she vanquished asuras and emerged victorious on the tenth day as Vijayadasami.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in